Critical Thinking

Commonly used definition: the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion.

Critical thinking requires interpretation, application, and evaluation of information. Incorporating ideas and fully understanding a concept can be a difficult task for students, often students do not know how to engage in critical thinking.

Bridging the gap between study habits from high school to ones that will work in college can be extremely difficult for young students. However, there are ways to promote reflective thinking to help students succeed.

Promoting critical thinking in students will not only help them in academic settings but in their day to day life. In addition, material can become valuable to students throughout their academic career.

How to foster critical thinking in the classroom:

Create safe environment that promotes questions from students

Leave time for questions during lectures and presentations

Ask questions that promote discussion and test understanding during lecture

Emphasize growth mindset when students seek help

Relate specific topics to the overall idea of class

Well written multiple-choice exams that test high-order thinking skills

Provide assignments that test content understanding

Ask for reflections on previous lecture/work

Introduce the Study Cycle:

Preview material covered in reading or previous lecture

Attend class

Review material covered after class 24 hours after class

Study and answer why, how, what questions

Access learning done

Teach students to use SQ3R or SQ5R on topics covered in class

Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review

Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review, wRite, Reflect

Use wheel of thinking to get students to do an assignment on specific topic